Model train novelty



"Feb. 6, 1951 J. R. QUINBY MODEL TRAIN' NOVELTY I Filed Feb. 28,. 1950 INVENTOR.

JACK ROBlLLflR-D QUlNBY Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,540,216 MODEL TRAIN NOVELTY Jack Robillard Quinby, New York, N. 'r.

Application February 28, 1950, Serial No. 146,650

1 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a model or toy train novelty employing the magnetic repulsion between like poles of magnets attached to two pieces of rolling stock to prevent or minimize damaging collisions between the two pieces of stock and to produce humorous results.

A complete understanding of the invention will be had from the following description when read in connection with the drawings, in which the single figure illustrates two pieces of rolling stock, specifically a locomotive and a hand car constructed and arranged in accordance with this invention.

It is common knowledge among "model train makers and operators, as well as toy train operators that considerable damage can be done by accidental or unintentional collisions between rolling stock. It is also appreciated that in exhibitions of model trains, as well as in demonstrations and use of toy trains, a little comedy relief is desirable at times.

This invention serves the dual purpose of eliminating unwanted collisions, or at least minimizing resulting damage therefrom, and providing novelty or comedy when desired. For this reason, the invention is shown as applied to two pieces of rolling stock, one a driven piece of rolling stock such as a spring or electrically propelled motive power equipment or locomotive I, and the other a non-driven or free rolling piece of rolling stock, such as a hand car 2, the latter being chosen purely for its novelty or comedy possibilities.

In accordance with this invention, a powerful magnet 3 is attached to the forward or leading end of the locomotive. The magnet may be of any type but the presently available strong permanent bar magnets have been found satisfactory. Likewise, one end of the hand car is also provided with a magnet 4, preferably a permanent bar magnet. The latter magnet 4 is secured to the hand car with its exterior end of the same polarity as the exterior or leading end of magnet 3 on the locomotive.

For novelty and comedy the hand car, in addition to' the usual handle bars 6 connected eccentrically to one of the rotating parts of the hand car, such as the axles-or wheels I, by a link 8 so as to be actuated thereby, is also provided with a pair of simulated diminutive human figures 9 and HI. These figures have Jointed or flexible bodies, legs and arms and have their hands fastened to the handle bars 8 so as to simulate the act of pumping the hand car when the exterior advanced end of the magnet upon of the figures rest upon the platform or deck of the hand car but preferably are not fastened thereto.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that if a locomotive with its attached magnet approaches the end of a hand car having an attached magnet, the magnets being arranged with like poles facing each other, the hand car will be propelled forwardly. That is, the effect of the magnets will be to prevent actual contact of the locomotive with the hand car, or at least to reduce the shock of contact, and to propel the hand car forwardly varying distances, even after the locomotive is stopped, depending upon the momentum of the two pieces of rolling stock, the strength of the magnets, and the varying contour of the track. Thus, the arrangement is such that not only is violent contact between the two pieces of rolling stock prevented but, in the case of the hand car with its simulated miniature human figures, the impression is given that the miniature human figures on the hand car are desperately pumping in an effort to keep ahead of the locomotive. As the locomotive becomes dangerously close to the hand car, the operators appear to redouble their efforts just in time to avoid being overtaken. If the feet of the miniature figures are not anchored to the deck of the hand car, there are certain critical speeds at which the figures will be somersaulted aloft in erratic fashion but will appear to be desperately clinging to the handles of the hand car, thus giving more ludicrous results than if the feet of the operators were anchored permanently to the deck of the hand car.

It will be obvious that minor variations may be made from the details of construction as illustrated, and that-other pieces of railroad equipment may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in a toy or model train of a locomotive having a magnet upon its forward end with a free rolling hand car having simulated operators actuated from a rotating part of said hand car and having 8- magnet adjacent one end thereof, said latter magnet being arranged with its exterior end of like polarity to said locomotive, whereby said hand car will be propelled in advance of the locomotive and said operators will be actuated as the locomotive approaches' the magnet carryingend of the hand the latter is propelled along a track. The feet 86 car, and a collision between said two pieces of 3 i rolling stock will be prevented, or its shock reduced.

2. Thecombination in a toyor model train of a locomotive having a magnet upon its forward end with a free rolling hand car having simulated operators having their hands connected to the handle bars of said hand car and their feet normally resting upon the platform oi said car but being free to move therefrom, said handle bars being actuated from a rotating part of said hand car, said hand car having a magnet adjacent one end thereof, said latter magnet being arranged with its exterior end of like polarity to the exterior advanced end of the magnet upon said locomotive, whereby said hand car will be propelled in advance of the locomotive, and said operators will be actuated as the latter approaches the former and a collision between the two pieces of rolling stock will be prevented, or its shock reduced.

' JACK ROBILLARD QUINBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 309,879 Ricker Dec. 30, 1884 1,595,801 McDonald Aug. 10, 1926 1,746,056 Sessler Feb. 4, 1930 2,461,088 Shortt Feb. 8, 1949 I5 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 834,348 France Aug. 16, 1938 

